Sarcasm

I thought I would bring up a topic about "Sarcasm". I am curious on your thoughts about sarcasm.

Do you feel discomfort most of the time when you are the listener and feel fine when you are the giver? Do you find it to be disrespectful or funny?

I was reading a topic about it. They also had done a survey on males and females and their thoughts and feelings upon it. Here is the link:

SARCASM IN RELATIONSHIPS

I myself find it to be disrespectful most of the time; so I choose to not use it unless I know that they don't want to hurt me or others. I know quite a few people who receive it just fine. I'm a person who prefers to hear comments direct and honestly I don't like the feelings of sarcasm. Considering I know several guys at work who use it jokingly towards this lady who does the dishes there and she happens to have some disability (I believe she is autistic). She thinks they are serious and which of course they are not and laugh about it. I feel irritated when I see that happen to her. They even talk behind her back about flaws she has; which she gets water everywhere. She does put up wet signs and they know better to watch out for water when she is working.

It mostly depends upon who it is too because I know when others are serious most of the time and when others are not.

Depends on the placement and usage of it. Sarcasm, can be witty and fun to hear. Sarcasm, can also be condescending and cruel in its intent.

As with anything, time/place, moderation.

I agree with healing4me.

I think that oftentimes the person that's attempting to be "humorously sarcastic" is really the only one that sees the humor in their sarcasm. Instead, sarcasm conveys an intent to mock, insult, ridicule and show contempt. Sarcasm in not funny. Generally, it's considered to be negative, mean and scornful.

I am terribly sarcastic but I have learned to hold my tongue most of the time. A lot of people don't get that sort of "humor".
I am also more keenly aware of my audience than when I was younger. Smart-alecks tend to find each other;that's been my experience.
Personal comments aren't usually ever welcome, but general topics can usually do with a dose of sarcasm. Again, being aware of your listener is key.
In relationships, it tends to become a weapon, so it is best left off the menu when discussions are in play. No point hurting anyone.

i don't think this is entirely true. It can be but in a general sense it's not always directed at a person but sometimes at objects, or life's events. One can be sarcastic in their remark underscoring the ridiculousness of something. Say a news story you found rather off and even stupid. You might joke with a friend "yeah that story was soooooo right on" dripping with sarcasm who's gotten hurt? no one. The friend usually will understand your sarcasm and unless it's at them it's not necessarily as horrible as you frame it.

Take this to the extreme where you're even sarcastic with a friend and at them. If you know this friend, like I do one of mine on facebook, we have entire chat threads full of sarcasm throwing back and forth. no one gets hurt, it's how we, as two males, kid back and forth. Like talking about how a girl thinks I'm cute and he might say "yes, [name redacted] you are SO HAWT" not hurting me, it's funny.

*and after my reply I just realized you did add "often times" so I apologize tht I misread your post as if it were saying it's always.

It can hurt but as with anything words, joking and communication can be misused but that's a different subject entirely.

I am a HUGE fan of sarcasm. It is a great defense mechanism (personally). I find it to be funny, smart, edgy.

HOWEVER - I also think that in a relationship it can be a knife. Those cuts do not heal well.

I used to be very sarcastic then I realized that most of the time sarcasm is just meanness trying to disguise itself as humor. It is a way of belittleing someone without seeming aggressive. It is often hurtful and not appreciated so I stopped using it.

I agree it can be, which is why I am careful about who I joke in that manner with. I would never be sarcastic to someone I thought would take it personally.

I think perhaps in discussing the topic of sarcasm, people confuse sarcasm with irony. Irony is used to convey a message by stating its opposite. Sarcasm is the use of irony to make a derogatory, scathing, witty attack on someone that's intended to mock, hurt and demean.

I don't have an issue with it. But then I wonder how much culture plays a part too - i'm a Brit, our sense of humour and sensibilities are not generally on the safer end of the scale anyway.

If someone's on your level and you're careful, I think it has it's place.